§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer given by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 22 May (WA 105), whether lack of legal status for unmarried cohabiting partners of the opposite sex causes problems for such partners in their daily lives; and if so, whether they see arguments in favour of a civil partnership registration scheme in England and Wales for such couples, bringing with it a package of rights and responsibilities for those who register. [HL3105]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalOpposite-sex couples already have the opportunity of obtaining legal status for their relationship by entering into a marriage, whether religious or civil. Some couples choose not to marry, and that is entirely a decision for them.